The Norfolk Zoo is expanding. As part of this expansion, a brand new Animal Wellness Center is being constructed which will house a veterinary hospital and nutrition center for the animals resident at the zoo. The new facility, with a completion date of summer 2013, will feature suites with large windows so zoo visitors can view zoo staff in action, providing treatment and preparing meals for the wide variety of animals kept on site.
The $4+ million expansion project arises from a need for a facility with enough capacity to handle the increased animal population due partly from last year’s successful “Asia – Trail of the Tiger” exhibit while also allowing the zoo to maintain its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Via Norfolk Zoo:
“The new veterinary hospital and animal wellness campus will not only deliver the highest level of animal care, but will also provide an educational experience, providing information on animal medicine; the benefits of good nutrition, outdoor activity and exercise; and how our food is grown – including living fruit orchards and vegetable gardens.”
“Visitors will be able to look though viewing windows into treatment, surgery and laboratory rooms, and the animal diet kitchen. One of the goals of the project is to inspire children to pursue careers in the medical sciences.”
The animals, zoo staff and visitors will be kept cool and comfortable in this 11,000 sqft wellness center because the architects and builders for this prestigious project have specified LO/MIT-II MAX Interior Radiation Control Coating for the entire undersurface of the roof. LO/MIT is a spray-applied radiant barrier specifically formulated to reduce radiant heat gain in buildings to increase comfort and lower utility costs.
Norfolk Zoo Wellness Center Project Overview
Norfolk Zoo Wellness Center Photo Gallery
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